Sleep deprivation affects millions of people worldwide. A significant percentage of insomnia cases are attributed to underlying medical problems, with incontinence accounting for a considerable chunk of the statistics.
According to a study published on BioMed Central (BMC), an overactive bladder (OAB) is responsible for many reported sleep issues. Whether making multiple trips to the bathroom or changing a soiled bed sheet at night, these disruptions can accumulate huge sleep debt. The scenario is only worse for people with both urinary and bowel incontinence.
However, the future isn’t all doom and gloom for incontinence patients. With the right products, you can pursue an active lifestyle during the day and retire to restful sleep every night.
This post introduces bed pads for adults with incontinence and how to pick the right product for your needs.
Photo Credit: Pixabay.com
What Is A Bed Pad?
Bed pads, or adult bed pads, are incontinence products designed to be placed over the sheets to block fluids from penetrating the rest of the bedding. They’re also called mattress pads, underpads, or chux.
Bed pads are one of the numerous incontinence aids. They differ primarily from other incontinence products in that they’re non-wearable.
Investing in high-quality adult bed pads can elevate your comfort at night, ensuring sound and restful sleep. Besides protecting your precious bedding from getting soiled, bed pads also cushion your skin from exposure to the toxic compounds in urinary (and bowel) fluids.
The best way to use a bed pad is to spread it over a mattress but below the top sheet. This ensures everything underneath is protected while avoiding direct contact with the pad itself. Since most high-end bed pads are designed from skin-friendly materials, you may also place the cover over the top to keep the sheet from getting wet.
But despite their efficacy, bed pads aren’t made equal. It’s important to understand the tell-tale signs of a high-quality pad from substandard ones.
Factors to Consider When Shopping for Adult Bed Pads
1. Size
A bed pad’s size impacts its efficiency. It’s important to choose a pad that properly fits the mattress you intend to spread it over.
An undersized bed pad may not contain leaks since it will keep shifting across the mattress during the night. Besides, too small pads may become tangled and cause sleep-disrupting discomfort.
On the other hand, an oversized pad is a waste of money since a huge chunk of the material will always overlap, causing you to tuck it in every night.
The general practice is to measure your mattress’ dimensions and pick a bed pad of the exact size or 2 — 3 inches larger.
2. Disposability versus Reusability
Like adult diapers, adult bed pads come in disposable and reusable options.
Disposable bed pads are intended to be discarded after one use. Their single-use design eliminates the need for clean-up, making them remarkably convenient and hygienic.
Disposable bed pads are also considerably more affordable than reusable pads. However, they’re only ideal for occasional bedwetters with mild incontinence. For moderate-to-severe incontinence, reusable bed pads would be preferable.
Reusable bed pads are meant to be washed and reused multiple times before replacing them. While these pads typically attract higher upfront costs than their disposable counterparts, their longevity makes them more cost-effective in the long run.
The fact that reusable diapers can be used multiple times means they turn up in landfills less often, making them an eco-friendly option.
Photo Credit: Pixabay.com
3. Material
The material that a bed pad is constructed from impacts its absorbency, comfort, and eco-friendliness. Pay attention to the fabric used for the top and core layers.
For the top layer, prioritize natural fibers like cotton, wool, and bamboo. In their purest forms, these materials are incredibly soft and hypoallergenic. They’re also eco-friendly due to their biodegradability.
For the core, insist on Super Absorbent Polymer (SAP). SAP is a super absorbent material widely considered the gold standard for incontinence pad cores.
Some bed pad brands reinforce their products with additional layers for enhanced overnight leak protection.
For instance, a pad may feature polyethylene (PE) film backing on its bottom layers. PE serves as a waterproof barrier that prevents leaks from seeping from a bed pad to the bedding underneath it. The material is also scratch- and tear-resistant, reinforcing your bed pad’s durability.
4. Absorbency Level
Besides the material a bed pad core is constructed from, the core’s absorbency also depends on the sheer thickness of its layer.
For most incontinence patients, a thicker core absorbency layer translates into better leak protection.
However, you may want to balance efficiency and affordability while shopping for adult bed pads. Simply choose a pad matched to your incontinence levels.
Lighter-absorbency bed pads may serve your needs if you suffer from mild incontinence characterized by infrequent leaks. But for severe incontinence, insist on a heavy-absorbency pad.
Final Word
A bed pad is one of the most resourceful wellness aids for incontinence patients. These innovative products protect your bedding from getting soiled and minimize skin discomfort caused by inadvertent urine passage at night. They also save you from the embarrassment of waking up to a wet mattress every morning and the daily onslaught of cleaning up your bedding after the fact.
You can get a premium-quality, high-durable, skin-friendly bed pad by following the above tips. To make the most of the pad, remember to use it properly and follow the manufacturer’s guidelines.
